Heating apparatus.



G. B. COLLIER.

HEATING APPARATUS APPLIOL'I'IOI FILED AUG. 7. 1905.

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' Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

- G, B. COLLIER.

HEATING APPARATUS. uruoumx rnnn me. 1, 190s.

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Specification of Letters l'atent. I

Patented Nov. 5, 1912.

Application filed August 7, 1900. Serial na'saasaa.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUY B. COLLIER, citizen of the United States, and resident of Kinderhook, Columbia county, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heating Apparatus, of which the following is a specification. j

The invention relates to a heating apparatus in which the heat conveying or circulating medium is an elastic fluid such as air and in which the temperature ofthe fluid is raised to the degree required by first expanding the fluid and then compressing it, heat being supplied to the fluid betweenits admission to the expanding mechanism and its admission to the compressing mechanism so that the heating of the fluid is effected by doing a comparatively small amount of work thereon. I v

In practising the invention the air or other heat carrying fluid of the system is taken into a compressing mechanism by which it is compressed a predetermined amount and from which it is delivered to a circulating conduit. In compressing the air a certain amount of heat is supplied thereto by reason of the work done upon it and thel heat already in the air is also raised to a higher temperature level. The compressed air with its high temperature heat is then passed through the circulating conduit where it may be utilized for heating purposes either by passing it through the radiators or piping, of a heating system or by passing it through a device for heating the water of a hot water circulating system or in any other desired manner. If found desirable a portion of the air may be utilized for ventilating purposes. The compressed air after passing through the circulating conduit is utilized to assist or supplement the action of the motor which drives the compressing mechanism thereby reducing the power required to operate this mechanism.

The quantity of heat at a temperature suitable for heating purposes which may be obtained by an apparatus having the'general mode of operation above outlined, is so great in proportion to the work required for operating purposes that the apparatus may be used with economy for heating purposes.

The economy of the apparatus may be increased .byutilizing the waste heat from the motor used for operating purposes to heat the incoming air on its way to the compressing mechanism and may be further increased by also utilizing the wasteheat from the motor in heating theair as it passes through various parts of the apparatus as will be more fully explained later on.

For the purpose of illustration I have shown diagrammatically in the accompanying draw ings, two forms of apparatus each of which embodies some or all of the features of my invention.

The various features of the invention will be pointedout in the claims and will be readily understood from the-following detailed description of the apparatus indicated in the drawings.

In these drawings-Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a system in which a gas or hydrocarbon engineds used as the operating motor and in which the high temperature air passed through the circulating conduit is utilized to heat the water of a hot water heating system. Figs.

I 2, 3 and a are details of parts of the devices shown for regulating and governing the action of the compressing mechanism and of the motor in which the compressed air from the'circ'ulating conduitis utilized; and I 1g. 5 1s a diagrammatic view showlng a diflerent form of mechanism for com-pressing the air and utilizing the compressed air delivered from the circulating conduit.

In the apparatus indicated in Fig. 1 the compressing mechanism is in the form of a cylinder A within which reciprocates a piston A. The piston is reciprocated by a crank B carried by a shaft B and connect ed with the piston rod A The shaft B is driven from a gas or hydrocarbon engine indicated at 0 through a belt C.

Air is supplied to the compressioncylinder through an intake pipe A and the admission of the air to either side of the piston is controlled by a valve A constructed to open and close the intake ports a in any suitable or Well known manner. The air compressed within the cylinder is delivered through the ports a into a delivery pipe 'A' which forms a part of or connects with the circulating conduit. The delivery of the air through the ports a is controlled by a main valve A and a release valve A, these valves bein similar in construction to main and cut-o valves such as used in steam engines. The main valve A and the intake'valve A are shifted at each end of the stroke of the piston by means of arms A projecting from passes throughthe heating device D.

from the engine 0 are circulated. The air passing through the delivery pipe A is also subjected to the heating action of the hot ex- 'haust gases from the engine by a heating device D through which these exhaust gases are led directly from the engine and from which they are delivered to the heating device D.

By the action of the compressing mechanism the heat contained in the air drawn from the atmosphere and also the heat absorbed by the air in passing through the heaterl) is raised to a higher temperature level and heat is also supplied to the air by reason of the work done thereon in compressing it. The compressed air delivered to the delivery pipe A therefore contains a large quantityof comparatively high temperature heat, the temperature of which, other things being equal, will depend upon the amount of compression effected by the compressing mechanism. Thetemperature of th s air is further raised by the absorption of heat aTsliit e compressed air with its igh temperature heat passes from the pipe A through a drum or chamber E where it acts to heat the water circulating through a coil F forming a part of ahot water heating system;

The compressed air having imparted its high temperature heat to the water ciculating through the coil F, is delivered from the circulating conduit formed by the drum E through a pipe G to a motor which assists in driving the compressing piston A. Thisv motor in the apparatus shown consists of a cylinder H within which reciprocates a piston'H. The cylinder H is arranged on the opposite side of the crank shaft B from the cylinder A and the piston H is connected to the crank B through the piston rod H which forms a continuation of the piston rod A The supply of compressed air to the cylinder H from the pipe G is controlled by a main valve H and a cut-off valve H these valves controlling the communication between the pipe G and the supply ports h of the cylinder. The air escapes from the cylinder H through' exhaust ports h which are controlled by a valve connected to the valve rod H The main valve H and the v exhaust valve are shifted at each end of the stroke of the piston by arms H connected with the piston rod H and engagin collars H H on the valve rods H and The cut-ofi valve H is operated to cut off the supply of compressed air from the pipe G at the proper point in the stroke of the piston in each direction by an eccentric similar to eccentric A? mounted on the shaft B and connected 'withthe valve by an eccentric strap and rod H With the piston H and cylinder H arranged and connected as described the compressed air delivered from the circulating conduit through the pipe G operates to force the compression piston A in a direction to effect the compression and thus supplements the action of the engine C in operating the compressing mechanlsm.

The effective action of the compressed air in the cylinder H may be increased and the economy of the apparatus thereby increased by vutilizing the exhaust gases from the engine to heat the air as it passes through the pipe G. For this purpose the apparatus may be provided with a heating device D through which the pipe G passes and to which the exhaust gases pass from the heating device D.

The efliciency and economy of the apparatus may be further increased by utilizing the heat contained in the water circulating through the jacket of the combustion cylinder of the engine to heat the air during compression and during its expansion and use in the motor cylinder H. For thus utilizing the heat in this water, the cylinders A, H may be jacketed and the water from the jacket of the engine led through these jackets and returned to the jacket of the cylinder through pipes I, I, I r

In utilizing the apparatus for supplying heat to be utilized in heating buildings the air should be delivered to the circulating conduit at the proper temperature to secure a substantially even temperature in the apartments which are heated. The range of temperature through which the air should be raised by the compressing mechanism and therefore the amount of compression will vary with the conditions under which the apparatus is used. That is to say, if the outside air is at a low temperature the amount of compression required in order that the air may be delivered by the compressor at the required temperature, will be greater than the amount of compression required if the outside air is at a higher temperature.

In order that the apparatus may be adjusted or regulated to suit thevarying conditions under which it may be used, means are providedfor varying the compression produced by the compressing mechanism. When the compression 1s varied the amount of air supplied to the means for utilizing the compressed air as it 'comes from the cirj varying the amount of air delivered from circulating conduit. After the appaauditions under which a is to be used, its

eperation, in case the temperature in the apartments which are to be heated is to be maintained substantially constant, should be "so governed that the compression will be increased in case the temperature in the apartment falls and be decreased in case the temperature in the apartment rises. To

effect this'result the apparatus may be provided with means for governing the compression and for governing the delivery of air from the circulating conduit which is controlled by the temperature in the apartment being heated. v

One form of regulating and controlling means suitable for use in connection with the form of compressing mechanism and means for utilizing the compressed air from the circulating conduit shown in the drawings, is that indicated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4:.

The amount of compression effected in the compression cylinderdepends upon .the point in the stroke of the piston at which the release valve A acts to open communication between the, port a and the delivery pipe A and the point at which the valve so acts depends upon the position of the eccentric A upon the shaft B. The compression effected in the compression cylinder may therefore be regulated and governed by regulating and governing the position of the eccentricupon the shaft B. For this purpose the eccentric is loosely mounted upon the shaft B between the collars l3 and is held in position upon the shaft by means of a pin J which engagesa spiral groove J" formed in the bore of the eccentric. The pin J is secured upon the end of arod J which is mounted within the shaft B, the pin projecting through a longitudinal slot J formed in the shaft. The rod J projects beyond the end of the shaft Band is pro vided with two collars J 4 which engage opposite sides of a pin projecting from one arm of a bellcrank lever J The other end of the bellcrank J 5 is connected by means of an adjustable link J 6 with a lever J The lever J" is connected by a link or pin J 8 with a flexible diaphragm withinthe casing J and is provided with an adjustable weight .1 by which the pressure transmitted from the lever to the diaphragm may be regulated.

The chamber within the casingbelow the diaphragm is connected by a pipe J with a thermostat'J arranged within the building'which is to be heated and constructed in any usual or wellknown manner to vary the pressure within the pipe J according to the temperature at the thermostat.

the "has been adjusted to suit the existing The eccentric for the cut-off valve H of the cylinder H is: connected with a similar regulating and governing mechanism. By adjusting the weights J upon the arms J T the pressure on thediaphragms in the casing J may befadjusted'to counterbalance the pressure on' the under sides of the diaphragms-corresponding to the desired temperature-at the thermostat. By adjusting the'links J the release and cut-ofi valves may be set toregulate the compression and thereforejthetemperature ofthe compressed air to suit .the conditions under which the apparatusyistooperate at any particular time. After the eccentrics have'been thus set the thermostat will operate to control the governing mechanisms to maintain a substantially constant temperature at the thermostat. -.-If the temperature at the thermostat falls, the eccentrics will be shifted to cause the release valve to operate at a later point in the stroke of the compression piston A'and to cause the cut-off valve to operate at an earlier point in the stroke of the piston H. This will result in a greater compression of the air and therefore a rise in the temperature of the air passing through the circulating conduit. If the temperature at the thermostat rises, the eccentrics will be operated to cause the release valve to operate earlier in the stroke of the piston A and the cut-0E valve to operate later in the stroke of the piston H. This will result in less compression of the air and consequently a lowering of the temperature of the air inthe circulating conduit.

In case-it is desired to maintain a constant pressure and temperature in the circulatin conduit, the pipes J which connect with the casings J 9 may be connected with the drum E, in which case the governing mechanisms will control the release and cut-off. valves to maintain a constant pressure and consequently a constant temperature in the circulating conduit. The governing mechanism may be controlled in other ways if found desirable.

In the form of apparatus indicated in Fig. 5 a single cylinder and piston are employed as the compressing mechanism and as the means for utilizing the compressed air delivered from the circulating conduit. In this apparatus the air is taken into the system and is compressed to the desired pressure and then this air is circulated continuously through a closed circuit, sufiicient new air being taken in at intervals to compensate for any loss through leakage.

The cii-culating conduit is connected by means of a pipe K with "the delivery ports of the cylinder L and is connected through the pipe K with the intake ports of the cylinder. The intake ports of the cylinder are controlled by a valve connected with the valve rod M which is operated to alter- &

nately open and close the ports, each port remaining open during the entire intaking stroke of the piston. The delivery ports of the cylinder are controlled by a main valve N and a release valve N similar to the main and release valves already described. The intake valve and main delivery valve are shifted at each end of the stroke of the piston by means of arms L connected with the piston rod and arranged to engage collars L on the valve rods. The release valve N is operated and cont-rolled from an eccentric O secured to the operating shaft P and regulated and controlled through a mechanism similar to the regulating and controlling mechanism already described. The hot exhaust from the motor which drives the shaft P is passed through a heating device Q arranged to heat the air as it passes through the delivery pipe K, the exhaust passing thence through a pipe Q, to the jacket of the cylinder L, thence through a pipe Q to a heating device Q which supplies heat to the air passing through the return pipe KJ In using theapparatus, the'eccentric for the release valve N is fixed in accordance with the amount of compression desired. In starting the apparatus air is drawn in from the outside atmosphere through a pipe K the communication between the pipe K and the cylinder being closed by a threeway valve K When the desired pressure has been secured in the circulating conduit,-

the three-way valve is operated to close the communication with the pipe K and to open communication between the pipe K and the intake valves of the cylinder L. Now during the operation of the apparatus the compressed air coming from the circulating conduit at a comparatively low temperature will pass through the heater K where it will absorb heat, will pass into the cylinder L back of the piston where it will expand and act against the piston to assist in the compression taking place in front of the piston. The air in front of the piston which was taken in on the stroke in the other direction will be compressed and the heat within the air raised to a higher temperature level. This compressed air with the heat thus raised to a higher temperature level and with the heat imparted thereto by the work done thereon. in compressing it, will pass through the pipe K and as it passes through the heater Q, will. absorb heat from the exhaust from the prime motor and will then pass through the circulating conduit.

The governing mechanism may be controlled to maintain a constant pressure in the circulating conduit by connecting the pipe J which leadsto the casing J, with the delivery pipe K, as indicated.

It will be understood that the specific construction of the compressing mechanism and of the means for utilizing the compressed air delivered from the circulating conduit and the specific construction of the various devices and mechanisms forming parts of the, apparatus are not material, and that the mechanisms and devices shown in the drawings are shown merely for the purpose of illustrating diagrammatically the construction and mode of operation of the apparatus embodying the features of invention.

Without attempting to point out in detail the various forms of apparatus in which my invention may be embodied, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1; A heating apparatus comprising a fluid compressing mechanism, a circulating conduit to which the high temperature fluid from the compressing mechanism is delivered, a motor to which the compressed fluid is delivered from the circulating conduit, means for governing the compressing mechanism, and means for correspondingly governing the delivery of the fluid from the circulating conduit to the motor.

2. A heating apparatus comprising a fluid compressing mechanism, a circulating conduit to which the high temperature fluid from the compressing mechanism is delivered,.a motor to which the compressed fluid is delivered from the circulating conduit, means for regulating the amount of compression, and means for regulating the delivery of the compressed fluid to the motor to conform to the action of the compressing mechanism.

3. A heating apparatus comprising a fluid compressing mechanism, a circulating conduit through which high temperature fluid from the com ressing mechanism passes, means for uti izing the compressed fluid after passing through the circulatin conduit for reducing the work required or operating the compressing means, means for governing the amount of compressiom and means for overning the delivery of compressed air om the circulating conduit.

4. A heating apparatus comprising'fluid compressing mechanism, a circulating conduit to which the high temperature fluid from the compressing mechanism is delivered, means for regulating the amount of compression, and means for regulating the delivery of compressed fluid from the circulating conduit to conform to the action of the compressing mechanism.

5. A heating apparatus comprising a fluid compressing mec anism, a circulating conduit to which the high temperature fluid from the compressing mechanism is delivered, means. for governing the compressing mechanism, and means for correspondingly overning the delive of the compressed fluid from the circulating conduit.

6. A heating apparatus comprising mechanism for compressing a fluid, a. circulating In witness whereof, I have hereunto set conduit through which the fluid passis, my hand this 3rd day of August, 1906.

means for regulating and governing t e v compressing mechanism, and means for corv GUY COLLIER 5 respondingly regulating and governing the In presence ofdelivery of compressedfluid from the clrcu- NATHANIEL B. WALES,

lating conduit. IRA L; FISH. 

